as in monarchs
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir
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Recent Examples of rulers
The strikes, which Afghanistan's Taliban rulers said hit the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika, shattered more than a month of calm in the war.
—
CBS News, 10 June 2026
Past philosophers, such as Aristotle, emphasized the necessity of virtue in both the people and their rulers, and Montesquieu argued that virtue was the defining principle of republics.
—Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The inscriptions include his throne, birth names of the Pharaoh, who is also known as Sesostris III, and was one of the most prominent rulers of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, BTS superstar Jung Kook and South Korean girl group Blackpink have all amassed a trio of rulers thus far, and any of them may score one more soon, changing this order again.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Built by Rajput rulers of the Chauhan clan, the fort later came under the control of the Delhi sultanate and the Mughals before returning to the Rajput rulers of Jaipur.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
Only a few elite graves have ever been uncovered, along with evidence of rulers or wealthy families, so the Cucuteni-Trypillia seemed to have boasted a large population, without a centralized government.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The coins were minted between the 980s and the 1040s and bear the names of rulers including Æthelred II, Otto III, Harald Hardrada and the legendary King Cnut.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Its clerical rulers, who put down a mass uprising at the start of the year, have faced no sign of organized opposition since the war began.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 May 2026
CBS News, 10 June 2026
Past philosophers, such as Aristotle, emphasized the necessity of virtue in both the people and their rulers, and Montesquieu argued that virtue was the defining principle of republics.
—Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The inscriptions include his throne, birth names of the Pharaoh, who is also known as Sesostris III, and was one of the most prominent rulers of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, BTS superstar Jung Kook and South Korean girl group Blackpink have all amassed a trio of rulers thus far, and any of them may score one more soon, changing this order again.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Built by Rajput rulers of the Chauhan clan, the fort later came under the control of the Delhi sultanate and the Mughals before returning to the Rajput rulers of Jaipur.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
Only a few elite graves have ever been uncovered, along with evidence of rulers or wealthy families, so the Cucuteni-Trypillia seemed to have boasted a large population, without a centralized government.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The coins were minted between the 980s and the 1040s and bear the names of rulers including Æthelred II, Otto III, Harald Hardrada and the legendary King Cnut.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Its clerical rulers, who put down a mass uprising at the start of the year, have faced no sign of organized opposition since the war began.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulers
Noun
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Queen Elizabeth's birthday was in April, while King Charles' is in November, but both monarchs opted to hold the public celebrations in June.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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Milkweed aphids are typically much less damaging to monarchs than pest control treatments, including organic treatment protocols.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Noun
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But in his third and rockiest year at the helm of the Trojans, Riley was still compensated like one of the kings of the sport.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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The collection spans centuries of storytelling in multiple genres, from migratory fairytales with kings and princesses to legends of ghosts and the Devil to fables with talking animals.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Noun
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This is, after all, the island that has wooed Roman emperors, including Tiberius, who allegedly carried out all sorts of debauchery at his hilltop Villa Jovis, which remains one of the Capri’s top attractions.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
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For nearly five centuries, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties came here to worship Heaven and pray for good harvests.—
Xianda Huang,
The Conversation,
16 May 2026
Noun
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But a series of 15th century directives from the Vatican authorized Portuguese sovereigns to conquer Africa and the Americas and enslave non-Christians.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
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Encouraged and frightened by the events at Naples, other sovereigns granted constitutions.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rulers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulers. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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